Forensic Science Technician salary in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA
Forensic Science Technicians in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area earn a median of $82,320 a year ($39.58 an hour), based on BLS data for 280 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,440 for the top 10%. That is 14% higher than the national median of $72,060. Pay here is 19% lower than the California statewide median of $102,100. There are 0.16 forensic science technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $87,970, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for forensic science technicians in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,510 | $31.49 |
| 25th percentile | $69,320 | $33.33 |
| Median | $82,320 | $39.58 |
| 75th percentile | $102,100 | $49.09 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $124,440 | $59.83 |
| Average (mean) | $87,970 | $42.29 |
Half of forensic science technicians earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,860 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,430 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,166.15 |
| Weekly | $1,583.08 |
| Hourly | $39.58 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Forensic Science Technician salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $137,280 | 140 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $109,930 | 330 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $105,320 | 220 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $104,410 | 1,170 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $102,810 | 80 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $101,780 | 160 |
| Fresno, CA | $85,200 | 70 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $81,930 | 60 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $79,970 | 70 |
Highest-paying states for forensic science technicians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Illinois | $124,790 |
| California | $102,100 |
| Connecticut | $85,910 |
| Colorado | $84,010 |
| Montana | $82,200 |
| Maryland | $82,140 |
| New York | $81,670 |
| Washington | $81,310 |
| Nevada | $81,090 |
| Oregon | $80,950 |
See Forensic Science Technician pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $63,150 | $30.36 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $51,310 | $24.67 |
| Chemical Technician | $55,620 | $26.74 |
| Food Science Technician | $50,900 | $24.47 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $76,630 | $36.84 |
| Biological Technician | $60,470 | $29.07 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $36,710 | $17.65 |
| Agricultural Technician | $49,310 | $23.71 |
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | $53,110 | $25.53 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $90,310 | $43.42 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $138,390 | $66.53 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $92,730 | $44.58 |
| School Psychologist | $139,400 | $67.02 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $104,110 | $50.05 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-4092. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a forensic science technician make in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA?
The median salary for forensic science technicians in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area is $82,320 a year, or $39.58 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,440 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid forensic science technicians make in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA?
The top 10% of forensic science technicians in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area earn at least $124,440 a year. The top 25% earn $102,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for forensic science technicians in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,510 a year, and a quarter of forensic science technicians earn $69,320 or less.
How many forensic science technicians work in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA?
About 280 forensic science technicians are employed in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.